(CNSNews.com) - Most Americans say 2005 was a better year than 2004 and they're optimistic that 2006 will be even better, according to a poll released Monday by Quinnipiac University.

The school surveyed 1,230 Americans and found that 53 percent feel that 2005 was "a better year for [them] personally" than 2004. Nearly 80 percent expect 2006 to be better than 2005.

Republicans feel better about the direction of their lives than Democrats, according to the poll. Sixty-five percent of Republicans felt this year was better than last, compared to 41 percent of Democrats.

"Americans, especially young Americans, are an optimistic people," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Despite the gloom and doom in the world, and their own belief that peace on earth is not in sight, we believe our own lives are getting better."

The poll found that 52 percent of Americans think the world will be a "less peaceful place" in 2006 than it has been in 2005.